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0. e. HITCHCOCK, COVER FOR SERVICE BOXES.' APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31. 1916.

1,193,479., Patented Aug. 1, 1916.

y f 7 J1 BZASJBOLT UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTO G. HI'IOHCOCK, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 'I'O HAYS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

1 COVER FOR SERVICE-BOXES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 31, 1916. Serial No. 75,379.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, O'r'ro Gr. HITOHGOCK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Erie, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 'Covers for 'Service-Boxes, of which the following is a specification. My invention relates to closing devices or covers for service boxes or curb boxes, used in connection with means for the dlStIibl1 tion and control of water or gas, and has for its object to provide certain improve ments ingthe construction'of said covers as will adapt the same more firmly to be retained in position, and yet capable of ready removal.

My .invention also contemplates certain minor details of construction, as will hereinafter be more fully pointed out, reference being had to the drawing, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the upper end of a conventional service box, showing my improved cover applied in locking position thereon. Fig. 2 is a top p an view. of said cover, the underlying parts being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of my improved cover. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective View of the upper end of the service box shown in Fig. 1.

Similar numerals of reference denote corresponding parts in the several views.

In the said drawing, the reference numeral 1 denotes the upper portion of a conventional service box, the same being of that type known in the trade as the Buffalo box, and which comprises an upstanding flange 2, recessed atone side, there being disposed adjacent said recess an inwardly projecting integral lug 3. Said lug is shown as provided with a screw threaded aperture 4, which has been embodied in this type of service box heretofore for the purpose of receiving a threaded bolt passing through the cover to be applied thereto, said bolt serving to retain the cover in position. It is to dispense with the use of this bolt as a locking means and to provide other and more eflicient locking means that my present invention is directed.

It is a further object of my present invention to. utilize my improved cover as a repair cover for this type of box when the original cover becomes broken or otherwise incapable of use, as frequently occurs.

My improved cover embodies atop plate 5 having an annular depending flange 6 adapted to engage over the flange 2 of the service box 1, said cover being centrally recessed at 7, from which recess extends a radial groove 8 for a purpose hereafter to be described. Said cover is provided centrally on its underside with a neck 9, apertured to receive therethrough a bolt 10, the same being preferably formed of brass or other non-corroding material, and being provided at its upper end with an integral annular nut 11, disposed in the recess 7. The lower angular end 12 of this bolt is passed through a similarly shaped aperture in a cam disk 13,and is upset at its lower end 14 against said cam firmly to unite the two parts. The cam disk 13 is formed with a peripheral recess 15, whereby it may clear the lug 3 when being inserted to position, and said disk is also formed on its upper face with an elongated inclined cam surface, whereby it may engage lugs of different makes of the ordinary boxes, such lugs being usually of different heights when made by different manufacturers.

In use, the cover 5 is applied to the box 1 with the cam disk 13 so turned as to cause the recess 15 therein to register with the lug 3, whereby said cam disk may pass beneath said lug as the cover is adjusted to position. It is also necessary that the underside of the radial groove 8 shall register with the cut-away portion of the flange 2 in order that said cover may seat properly, and when this position is assumed, by turning the central brass bolt, by means of a suitable spanner applied to its nut 11, the cam disk 13 will be turned beneath the lug 3 until its upper cam surface contacts firmly with said lug, therebylocking the cover in position. 7,

The groove 8 in the cover 5 servesa double function, first, as a drainslot for cleanin out dirt or snow from the central recess 5 around the bolt head 11, and, secondly, in connection with the cut-away portion of the flange. 2, acting as a supplemental lock for Patented Aug. 1,1916.

the cover, in permitting only a very limited is reduced to a minimum. It has also been found that when my improved cover is applied and locked in position, no amount of jar or hitting on the cover will loosen the cam, so that the cover-wi1l come off. In fact, I have found by'experiment that if made solid, such a cover can be moved, with very little effort, and if accidentally jarred will tend to work loose.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is s 1. The combination with a service box embodying an inwardly projecting lug and an upstanding flange cut-away at one side, of a cover therefor adapted to fit over said flange, a cam disk adapted to engage said lug, a bolt rotatably connecting said cover and disk, and a projecting under portion on said cover adapted to register with the cut-away portion of the flange of said box when said cover is positioned thereon.

2. The combination with a service box embodying an inwardly projecting lug and an upstanding flange cut-away at one side,

of a cover therefor adapted'to fit over said flange, a cam disk adapted to engage said lug, a bolt rotatably connecting said cover and disk, and a radial groove in said cover forming a projecting under-portion adapted to register with the cut-away portion of 

